I was recently asked on Twitter to share my favorite gift books for children, so I thought I’d put together a list of the best picture books my kids and I read this year… READ MORE!
Holiday gift guide for women (aka my wish list)
Do you still exchange holiday gifts with the adults in your family? To make the holidays a little bit more affordable this year, my sister, parents, and I decided to only buy presents for the kids instead of shopping for everybody.
However, that doesn’t mean I don’t have a wish list! Instead of keeping it to myself, I thought you might like to use it as a sort-of holiday gift guide for women. It’s packed with presents your mom, sister, or best friend are sure to love — and except for the Rebecca Minkoff backpack, everything is under $200. Most items are less than $100.
Or if you want to surprise me with a Hanukkah gift, I’ll send you my address.
1 – I’m eyeing this leather backpack with plenty of room for my everyday essentials, plus a few diapers, crayons, board books, and snacks.
2 – I’d use this weekly notepad to keep track of the day’s most important to-dos.
3 – It’s been years since I’ve worn a watch, but this rose gold Nixon is the perfect mix of masculine and feminine.
4 – This faceted geometric wood planter, hand carved from locally sourced walnut, would add an organic touch to our decor.
5 – These minimalist painted concrete candleholders would bridge the gap between our fancy candleholders and our playful Shabbat candleholders.
6 – I wash my hair as infrequently as possible, and this turban-style shower cap would be a major upgrade to what’s currently hanging on the back of my bathroom door.
7 – Adorned with a gold foil design, this clear iPhone case would add a metallic flourish to the back my rose gold iPhone 6S+.
8 – Layering necklaces is not my forte, but this three-in-one necklace with simple geometric shapes would make accessorizing easy.
9 – Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book, Big Magic, has been on my must-read list after hearing the author talk about curiosity and creativity on a podcast.
10 – While I prefer a cabinet of simple white mugs, the richness of this handcrafted mug would add a beautiful pop of color to my afternoon coffee break.
11 – I’m constantly writing down ideas for blog posts and articles, and this monogrammed and bookcloth-covered notebook might help me stay organized during brainstorming sessions.
12 – My five-year-old gold MZ Wallace wallet is still in excellent condition, but this champagne leather wallet would look mighty fine inside my new backpack… cough cough.
13 – Every night, I place my wedding rings in a little dish on my nightstand, but I’d rather store them in this brass jewelry box, which doubles as a ring holder and a decorative object.
Which of these items would you add to your own holiday wish list?
PS – Last year’s gift guide for women, men, kids, and babies.
How to create a personalized memory game for kids
It’s that time of year again when family members begin asking what my boys would like for the holidays. I have such a hard time compiling a wish list on their behalf, partly because we don’t have a lot of space for more toys and partly because… READ MORE!
12 Mother’s Day gift ideas under $100
Believe it or not, Mother’s Day is two weeks away. Wasn’t it just Valentine’s Day?
I thought I’d put together a list of Mother’s Day gift ideas as guide for when you’re shopping for the moms in your life — or for when your partner asks what you’d like to receive… READ MORE!
5 food gifts to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth (and other holiday cravings)
I used to think that sending somebody a food gift was a cop-out because buying something edible required less thought (and was therefore less meaningful) than a non-perishable present. Given all of the delicious and inspiring food gifts on the market, I now recognize the ridiculousness of my logic! Here are five food-related gifts I’d be excited to give — or receive! — this holiday season… READ MORE!
Gift picks for almost everybody on your list
I have a thing for gift guides.
Not only do I love creating them, but I also love reading ones curated by other bloggers and magazines. I even have an ever-growing Pinterest board dedicated to some of my favorite gift guides because they’re such great sources of inspiration during the holiday season. I’ll actually reference them all year long, especially when shopping for another child’s birthday or other gift-giving occasions like Mother’s Day.
The best gift guides are the ones that have a very specific recipient in mind. That’s why I separated my picks for little kids into “preschooler” and “baby” guides.
Yahoo! Style has been doing a great job at creating super targeted (and somewhat cheeky) gift guides this season. For example, you can browse the best cleaning items for your OCD friends and gifts to impress your favorite gym buff.
No surprise, my eye went straight to 17 gifts to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Black truffle cookie dough? Ooh, la la! A Momofuku Milk Bar cranberry-gingerbread cake? Suddenly I’m craving a tall glass of cold milk.
I couldn’t help also checking out the best food gifts for the hardest to please since I may be married to somebody who falls under that category. How cool is that glass pot?
Some of my other favorite items from the nearly 20 holiday gift guides include the chicest headphones I’ve ever seen, a heated neck and shoulder massager, and online Bar Method classes that would be a fun stocking stuffer for the fitness fanatic.
I’m curious, who do you have the hardest time shopping for? I usually struggle the most finding the perfect gift for my dad, but I’m hopeful that Yahoo! Style will make the task a little less daunting this season!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Holiday Gift Guide: For Babies (The Under 1 Crowd)
From clothes to toys to gear, there are no shortages of adorable baby gifts to be found. Still, I often find it tricky to shop for babies, especially my own. I mean, it’s not like they want anything, nor do they have any idea what’s happening during a gift exchange. But that won’t stop me from wrapping up a special plush friend or the newest “it” educational toy for my boys.
This year’s gift guide for baby includes a few items the whole family can enjoy, including adult-approved nursery decor and a swing to free up mom’s arms for 20 minutes or so. Because a few minutes of alone time is a gift in itself… READ MORE!
Holiday Gift Guide: For Him (Husband and Dad Approved)
Shopping for guys can be hard, whether it’s your husband, boyfriend, dad or brother. Hopefully, my holiday gift guide for him can help take out the guesswork. Everything’s been vetted by JB and my father, which means two things: a) I know they’ll like their presents and b) there won’t be any surprises this year… READ MORE!
Holiday Gift Guide: For Her (A.K.A. My Wish List)
Putting together a gift guide for her is always a favorite activity because I get to curate a list of items I already have and love (6, 11) and items I’d love to have (almost everything else). If shopping for your sister, mom, or best friend (or maybe me?) is on your to-do list this year, here are some holiday gift ideas to get you started… READ MORE!
